cesta
/ˈθesta/feminine
The Spanish word for basket is cesta. Wiktionary also lists cesto and taxcal.
Meaning: container (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cesta | /ˈθesta/ /ˈsesta/ |
feminine |
| cesto | /ˈθesto/ /ˈsesto/ |
masculine |
| taxcal | /taʃˈkal/ | masculine |
| canasta | /kaˈnasta/ | feminine |
| tanate | /taˈnate/ | masculine |
| excusabaraja | /eɡskusabaɾaxa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| escusabaraja | /eskusabaɾaxa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| escriño | /eskɾiɲo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| escripia | /eskɾipja/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| tabaque | /taˈbake/ | masculine |
| tabanque | /tabanke/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| canastillo | /kanasˈtiʝo/ | masculine |
The word basket refers to a container used for holding various items.
Which one should you use?
cesta is the most common and general term for a basket. canasta is often used for baskets used for carrying goods or fruit, and is very common in Latin America. canastillo is a diminutive form of canasta, meaning a small basket.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term capazo refers to a large, deep basket and is commonly used in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of the feminine noun cesta is cestas. The plural of the masculine noun cesto is cestos. The plural of the feminine noun canasta is canastas. The plural of the masculine noun canastillo is canastillos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈθesta/
Did you know?
- The word taxcal comes from the Nahuatl word tlaxcalli, meaning 'tortilla', combined with chiquihuitl, meaning 'basket'.
- The word canasta is used in Spanish to name the game of 'canasta', which was inspired by the word for basket because the game involves accumulating cards in piles.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué hay en la cesta?What's in the basket?This sentence is useful for asking about the contents of a cesta.Tatoeba #8980889 by arh, translation #2646737 by CK
- Poné todo en mi canasta.Put everything in my basket.This sentence is useful for giving an instruction regarding a canasta.Tatoeba #1503066 by hayastan, translation #273825 by CK
- Mi gato salió de la cesta.My cat came out of the basket.This sentence is useful for describing an animal exiting a cesta.Tatoeba #1652768 by marcelostockle, translation #251562 by CK
- Puedes poner las compras en el canasto.You can put the groceries in the basket.
- Le regalé una cesta de mimbre.I gave her a wicker basket as a gift.
- Llevaban la fruta en un capazo.They were carrying the fruit in a basket.
- Voy a encestar la pelota en la canasta.I'm going to shoot the ball in the basket.
- Deja la ropa sucia en el cesto.Leave the dirty clothes in the basket.
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a local farmer's market.
- AlejandroLucía, ¿necesitas una cesta para las manzanas?Lucía, do you need a basket for the apples?
- LucíaSí, por favor, esta es muy pequeña.Yes, please, this one is very small.
- AlejandroToma esta cesta, es más grande.Take this basket, it is bigger.
- LucíaMuchas gracias, Alejandro, es perfecta.Thank you very much, Alejandro, it is perfect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “basket” translations and entries cesta, cesto, taxcal, canasta, tanate, tabaque, canastillo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries canasta, cesta, cesto, taxcal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
